Diphenyl ether derivatives, their preparation and their use for controlling undesirable plant growth

- BASF Aktiengesellschaft

Diphenyl ether derivatives of the formula ##STR1## where R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and n have the meanings stated in the description, processes for their preparation, herbicides which contain these compounds as active ingredients, and a method of controlling undesirable plant growth by means of the novel compounds.

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Description

The present invention relates to novel diphenyl ether derivatives, processes for their preparation, herbicides which contain these compounds as active ingredients, and a method of controlling undesirable plant growth by means of the novel compounds.

It is known that phenoxyphenylcarboxamides and compounds of the formula I in which --N(CN)-- is replaced by oxygen or sulfur and R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl, -oxoalkyl or -hydroxyalkyl possess herbicidal activity (JP-A-48 129/1975, EP-A-19 388, EP-A-20 052, EP-A-27 837, U.S. Pat. No. 3,928,416 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,400,530).

We have found that dipheyl ether derivatives of the formula I ##STR2## where R.sup.1 is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl or C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 -alkoxyalkyl, R.sup.2 is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyol, C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 -alkenyl or C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 -alkynyl, R.sup.3 is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 -alkenyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 -alkynyl or C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 -cycloalkyl, each of these radicals being unsubstituted or substituted by C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkoxy, and n is 0 or 1, and salts of the compounds in which R.sup.3 is hydrogen, possess herbicidal activity and are selective with respect to crops.

Where the compounds of the formula I possess one or more asymmetric carbon atoms, they can occur in enantiomeric or diastereomeric forms, all of which are embraced by the claim.

In formula I, R.sup.1 is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl, eg. methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, but-2-yl, isobutyl or tert-butyl, or alkoxyalkyl of 2 to 8 carbon atoms in total, eg. methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, 2-methoxyethyl, 2-ethoxyethyl, 1-methoxyprop-2-yl, 2-methoxypropyl, 4-methoxybutyl, 4-butoxybutyl, 6-methoxyhexyl or 6-ethoxyhexyl, R.sup.2 is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl, eg. methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, but-2-yl, isobutyl or tert-butyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 -alkenyl, eg. vinyl, prop-1-en-3-yl, prop-1-en-2-yl, prop-1-en-1-yl, but-1-en-1-yl, but-1-en-2-yl, but-1-en-3-yl or 2-methylprop-1-en-3-yl, or C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 -alkynyl, eg. ethynyl, propargyl or but-1-yn-1-yl, and R.sup.3 is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 -alkenyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 -alkynyl or C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 -cycloalkyl, and each of these radicals may be substituted by C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkoxy, eg. methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, 2-methoxyethyl, 4-ethoxybutyl, vinyl, prop-1-en-3-yl, prop-1-en-1-yl, but-1-en-1-yl, 2-methylprop-1-en-3-yl, 4-ethoxy-but-1-en-1-yl, ethynyl, propargyl, but-1-yn-1-yl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, 3-methoxycyclopentyl or 4-ethoxycyclohexyl.

Compounds in which R.sup.3 in formula I is hydrogen can also occur as salts. Suitable salts are those which can be used in agriculture, for example alkali metal salts, in particular potassium or sodium salts alkaline earth metal salts, in particular calcium, magnesium or barium salts, manganese, copper, zinc and iron salts and, where Y is O or S, ammonium, phosphonium, sulfonium and sulfoxonium salts, eg. ammonium, trialkylammonium, tetraalkylammonium, benzyltrialkylammonium, trialkylsulfonium or trialkylsulfoxonium salts.

Preferred compounds are those in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently of one another are each hydrogen or methyl and R.sup.3 is hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl.

The diphenyl ether derivatives of the formula I can be obtained by reacting an acid derivative of the formula II ##STR3## where X is halogen, preferably chlorine or bromine, or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkoxy, with a compound of the formula III ##STR4## where R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 and n each have the above meanings.

The reaction is advantageously carried out in an inert diluent at from -40.degree. to +150.degree. C., preferably from -20.degree. to +30.degree. C., in the presence or absence of a base. The molar ratio of the acid derivative II to the compound III should be from 1:1 to 1:2, preferably from 1:1 to 1:1.2.

The compound III is preferably used in the form of a salt, in particular a metal salt of group 1A or 2A of the Periodic Table, or, where n is 1, an ammonium salt which may or may not be alkylated. For this purpose, an appropriate base is added to compound III. Examples of suitable bases are carbonates, bicarbonates, alcoholates, hydroxides, oxides and hydrides of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, in particular of sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium. Assuming the above preconditions, it is also possible to use organic bases, such as pyridine or tertiary amines.

In some cases, it is advisable to use the base in excess (based on compound III) and to carry out the conversion of the acid derivative II under base catalysis.

Examples of suitable inert diluents are water, aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as naphtha, gasoline, benzene, toluene, xylene, pentane, hexane, cyclohexane or petroleum ether, aromatic and aliphatic halohydrocarbons, such as methylene chloride, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, 1,1- and 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,1,1- and 1,1,2-trichloroethane, chlorobenzene, o-, m- and p-dichlorobenzene or o-, m- and p-chlorotoluene, aromatic and aliphatic nitrohydrocarbons, such as nitrobenzene, o-, m- and p-nitrotoluene or nitroethane, nitriles, such as acetonitrile, butyronitrile or isobutyronitrile, ethers, such as diethyl ether, di-n-propyl ether, tetrahydrofuran or dioxane, esters, such as ethyl acetoacetate, ethyl acetate or isobutyl acetate, ketones, such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isopropyl ketone or methyl isobutyl ketone, alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol or propanol, amides, such as N-methylformamide or N,N-dimethylformamide, and sulfur-containing solvents, such as dimethyl sulfoxide or sulfolane. Mixtures of these solvents may also be used.

The reaction is generally complete after from 0.5 to 5 hours. The end product can be isolated after separating off the inorganic salts and removing the diluent under reduced pressure. If necessary, products which are obtained in the solid state can be further purified by recrystallization. Products which are obtained in the form of an oil are further purified, if necessary, by means of column chromatography.

Where water or a water-miscible diluent is used, the reaction mixture may be introduced into water and, if necessary, neutralized. During this process, the end products are obtained in the solid state or as an oil. They are separated off and, if necessary, further purified as described above.

Similar preparation processes are known per se and are described in DE-A-1 907 193, DE-A-2 757 586 and Chem. Pharm. Bull. 24 (1976), 26. the starting materials used are known.

Diphenyl ether derivatives of the formula I where n is 1 may furthermore be obtained by reacting an acid derivative of the formula IV ##STR5## where R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and X have the above meanings, with a compound of the formula V ##STR6## where R.sup.3 has the above meanings and A is hydrogen or a metal of group 1A or 2A of the Periodic Table, eg. lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium or calcium.

Another possible method of preparing the diphenyl ether derivatives of the formula I (where n is 1) is to react an acid derivative of the formula VI ##STR7## where A has the above meanings, with a halogen compound of the formula VII ##STR8## where R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 have the above meanings and Hal is halogen, preferably chlorine or bromine.

The two last-mentioned methods of preparation are carried out at from -20.degree. to +150.degree. C., preferably from 30.degree. to 120.degree. C., but otherwise under the reaction conditions stated above (for the reaction II+III.fwdarw.I).

In this case too, the starting materials are known or can be prepared by a conventional method (eg. EP-A-148 119).

Finally, the diphenyl ether derivatives of the formula I, where R.sup.3 is hydrogen, may also be converted to the relevant N-substituted products by a conventional N-alkylation reaction.

The Examples which follow illustrate the invention.

EXAMPLE 1

(A) 51.4 g of n-propylamine in 300 ml of ether were initially taken, and 46 g of cyanogen bromide, dissolved in 100 ml of ether, were added dropwise at -10.degree. C.

The mixture was strirred for a further hour at -10.degree. C. and warmed up to room temperature in the course of 1 hour, and stirring was continued for a further 30 minutes at this temperature.

The mixture was filtered under suction, the residue was washed with ether and the ether solutions were evaporated down to give 35.5 g of n-propylcyanamide in the form of an oil.

(B) 1.68 g of n-propylcyanamide in 100 ml of absolute ether were initially taken, and 0.6 g of 80% strength by weight NaH was added at -20.degree. C. in three portions. 7.4 g of 2-nitro-5-(2-chloro-4-trifluoromethylphenoxy)benzoyl chloride in 20 ml of absolute ether were added dropwise at -20.degree. C., the reaction mixture was warmed up to room temperature and stirring was continued overnight. The mixture was filtered, and the ether solution was washed 4 times with water, dried and evaporated down in a rotary evaporator to give 6.5 g of N-[2-nitro-5-(2-chloro-4-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-benzyl]-N'-propylcyanamid e in the form of an oil, which solidified. The compound was stirred thoroughly with a small amount of 80% strength by weight aqueous methanol to give a product of melting point 90.degree.-92.degree. C. (compound No. 8).

EXAMPLE 2

4.08 g of methyl vinylglycolate in 80 ml of ether were initially taken with 3.2 g of pyridine. 11.4 g of 2-nitro-5-(2-chloro-4-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-benzoyl chloride, dissolved in 30 ml of ether, were added dropwise, and the mixture was stirred for a further hour. The precipitate was then filtered off and the filtrate was washed 4 times with water, dried, and evaporated down under reduced pressue in a rotary evaporator to give 12.7 g of an oil (compound No. 46).

NMR: 3.8 ppm, singlet, 33 protons; 5.4 ppm, doublet, 1 proton; 5.6 ppm doublet, 1 proton; 5.7 ppm, doublet, 1 proton; 6 ppm, 1 proton, multiplet 7.0 ppm, 7.2 ppm, 7.3 ppm, 7.6 ppm, 7.8 ppm, 8.1 ppm: 1 proton each with fine structure.

EXAMPLE 3

10 g of 2-nitro-5-(2-chloro-4-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-benzoic acid were dissolved in 20 ml of dimethyl sulfoxide, and 5 g of K.sub.2 CO.sub.3 were added. The mixture was heated to 60.degree. C. and then cooled to room temperature. Thereafter, 12.7 g of N-(2-bromopropionyl)-N-propylcyanamide were added dropwise, an exothermic reaction (to 29.degree. C.) taking place. The mixture was stirred for a further hour and then stirred into 500 ml of water and extracted twice with ether. The ether phases were washed with water, dried and evaporated down. The residue was stirred thoroughly with 200 ml of cyclohexane, and the oil was separated off. It was freed from adhering cyclohexane under reduced pressure (1 mbar) to give 10 g of an oil (compound No. 36).

NMR: 0.9 ppm, triplet, 3 protons; 1.55 ppm, doublet, 3 protons, 1.6 ppm, multiplet, 2 protons; 3.5 ppm, triplet, 2 protons; 5.65 ppm, quartet, 1 proton; 6.9-8 ppm, multiplet, 6 protons.

The compounds below can be prepared by one of the methods described in Examples 1 to 3.

                                    TABLE 1                                 

     __________________________________________________________________________

     Compound                                                                  

           R.sup.1        R.sup.2   R.sup.3   n M.p. [.degree.C.]              

     __________________________________________________________________________

     1     --             --        H         0 95-116                         

     2     --             --        Na        0                                

     3     --             --        K         0                                

     4     --             --        Li        0                                

     5     --             --        NH.sub.4  0                                

     6     --             --        CH.sub.3  0                                

     7     --             --        C.sub.2 H.sub.5                            

                                              0 76-83                          

     8     --             --        n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                          

                                              0 90-92                          

     9     --             --        n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                          

                                              0 91-95                          

     10    --             --        CHCCH.sub.2                                

                                              0                                

     11    --             --        CH.sub.3OC.sub.2 H.sub.4                   

                                              0 89-96                          

     12    --             --                                                   

                                     ##STR9## 0                                

     13    --             --        CH.sub.2CHCH.sub.2                         

                                              0 82.5-86.5                      

     14    H              H         H         1                                

     15    H              H         Na        1                                

     16    H              H         CH.sub.3  1                                

     17    H              H         n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                          

                                              1                                

     18    CH.sub.3       H         H         1                                

     19    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                     

                          H         H         1                                

     20    n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                   

                          H         H         1                                

     21    CH.sub.3       CH.sub.3  H         1                                

     22    CH.sub.3       CH.sub.2CH                                           

                                    H         1                                

     23    H              CH.sub.2CHCH.sub.2                                   

                                    H         1                                

     24    CH.sub.3OCH.sub.2                                                   

                          CH.sub.3  H         1                                

     25    H              CH.sub.2CH                                           

                                    H         1                                

     26    CH.sub.3OCH.sub.2                                                   

                          H         H         1                                

     27    CH.sub.3OC.sub.2 H.sub.4                                            

                          CH.sub.3  H         1                                

     28    CH.sub.3OCH(CH.sub.3)CH.sub.2                                       

                          CH.sub.3  H         1                                

     29    CH.sub.3OCH(CH.sub.3)CH.sub.2                                       

                          H         H         1                                

     30    H              H         CH.sub.3  1                                

     31    H              H         C.sub.2 H.sub.5                            

                                              1                                

     32    H              H         n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                          

                                              1                                

     33    H              H         n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                          

                                              1                                

     34    CH.sub.3       H         CH.sub.3  1                                

     35    CH.sub.3       H         C.sub.2 H.sub.5                            

                                              1                                

     36    CH.sub.3       H         C.sub.3 H.sub.7                            

                                              1 Oil                            

     37    CH.sub.3       H         C.sub.4 H.sub.9                            

                                              1                                

     38    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                     

                          H         CH.sub.3  1                                

     39    CH.sub.3       CH.sub.3  CH.sub.3  1                                

     __________________________________________________________________________

The diphenyl ether derivatives of the formula I may be applied for instance in the form of directly sprayable solutions, powders, suspensions (including high-percentage aqueous, oily or other suspensions), dispersions, emulsions, oil dispersions, pastes, dusts, broadcasting agents, or granules by spraying, atomizing dusting, broadcasting or watering. The forms of application depend entirely on the purpose for which the agents are being used, but they must ensure as fine a distribution of the active ingredients according to the invention as possible.

For the preparation of solutions, emulsions, pastes and oil dispersions to be sprayed direct, mineral oil fractions of medium to high boiling point, such as as kerosene or diesel oil, further coal-tar oils, and oils of vegetable and animal origin, aliphatic, cyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene, xylene, paraffin, tetrahydronaphthalene, alkylated naphthalenes and their derivatives such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, cyclohexanol, cyclohexanone, chlorobenzene, isophorone, and strongly polar solvents such as N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, N-methylpyrrolidone and water, are suitable.

Aqueous formulations may be prepared from emulsion concentrates, dispersions, pastes, wettable powders or water-dispersible granules by adding water. To prepare emulsions, pastes and oil dispersions the ingredients as such or dissolved in an oil or solvent may be homogenized in water by means of wetting or dispersing agents, adhesives or emulsifiers. Concentrates which are suitable for dilution with water may be prepared from active ingredient, wetting agent, adhesives, emulsifying or dispersing agent and possibly solvent or oil.

Examples of surfactants are: alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and ammonium salts of ligninsulfonic acid, naphthalenesulfonic acids, phenolsulfonic acids, alkylarylsulfonates, alkylsulfates, and alkylsulfonates, alkali metal and alkaline earth metal salts of dibutylnaphthalenesulfonic acid, lauryl ether sulfate, fatty alcohol sulfates, alkali metal and alkaline earth metal salts of fatty acids, salts of sulfated hexadecanols, heptadecanols, and octadecanols, salts of sulfated fatty alcohol glycol ethers, condensation products of sulfonated naphthalene and naphthalene derivatives with formaldehyde, condensation products of naphthalene or naphthalenesulfonic acids with phenol and formaldehyde, polyoxyethylene octylphenol ethers, ethoxylated isooctylphenol, ethoxylated octylpheol and ethoxylated nonylphenol, alkylphenol polyglycol ethers, tributylphenyl polyglycol ethers, alkylaryl polyether alcohols, isotridecyl alcohol, fatty alcohol ethylene oxide condensates, ethoxylated castor oil, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, ethoxylated polyoxypropylene, lauryl alcohol polyglycolether acetate, sorbitol esters, lignin sulfite waste liquors and methyl cellulose.

Powders, dusts and broadcasting agents may be prepared by mixing or grinding the active ingredients together with a solid carrier.

Granules, eg. coated, impregnated or homogeneous granules, may be prepared by bonding the active ingredients to solid carriers. Examples of solid carriers are mineral earths such as silicic acids, silica gels, silicates, talc, kaolin, limestone, lime, chalk, bole, loess, clay, dolomite, diatomaceous earth, calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, magnesium oxide, ground plastics, fertilizers such as ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium nitrate, and ureas, and vegetable products such as grain flours, bark meal, wood floor and nutshell meal, cellulosic powders, etc.

The formulations contain from 0.1 to 95, and preferably from 0.5 to 90, % by weight of active ingredient. The active ingredients may be applied pre- or (preferably) postemergence. If certain crop plants tolerate the active ingredients less well, application techniques may be used in which the herbicidal agents are sprayed from suitable equipment in such a manner that the leaves of sensitive crop plants are if possible not touched and the agents reach the soil or the leaves of the unwanted plants growing beneath the crop plants (post-directed, lay-by treatment).

To increase the spectrum of action and to achieve synergistic effects, the diphenyl ether derivatives of the formula I and their salts may be mixed and applied together with numerous representatives of othr herbicidal or growth-regulating active ingredient groups. Examples of suitable mixture components are diazines, 4H-3,1-benzoxazine derivatives, benzothiadiazinones, 2,6-dinitroanilines, N-phenylcarbamates, thiolcarbamates, halocarboxylic acids, triazines, amides, ureas, triazinones, uracils, benzofuran derivatives, cyclohexane-1,3-dione derivatives, diphenyl ether derivatives of different structure, etc.

It may also be useful to apply the compounds of the formula I, either alone or in combination with other herbicides, or in admixture with other crop protection agents, eg. agents for combating pests or phytopathogenic fungi or bacteria. The compounds may also be mixed with solutions of mineral salts used to remedy nutritional or trace element deficiencies.

The amount of active ingredient applied depends on the time of year, the plants to be combated and their growth stage, and varies from 0.005 to 5 kg/ha, but is preferably from 0.01 to 1 kg/ha.

The herbicidal action of the diphenyl ether derivatives of the formula I on the growth of test plants is illustrated by the greenhouse experiments described below.

The vessels employed were plastic flower pots having a volume of 300 cm.sup.3 and filled with a sandy loam containing about 3% humus as the substrate. In the case of soybeans and groundnuts, peat was added to give a better stand. The seeds of the test plants were sown separately according to species.

For the postemergence treatment, the plants were first grown to a height of from 3 to 15 cm, depending on growth form, before being treted with the preparations of active ingredients which were suspended or emulsified in water and sprayed through finely distributing nozzles. For this treatment, either plants sown directly in the pots and grown there were selected, or plants grown from seedlings and transplanted. The application rates varied from active ingredient to active ingredient, and were 0.015, 0.03 and 0.06 kg/ha.

The pots were set up in the greenhouse, warmth-loving species in warmer areas at from 20.degree. to 36.degree. C., and species from moderate climates in areas at 10.degree. to 20.degree. C. The experiments were run for 2 to 4 weeks. During this period, the plants were tended and their reactions to the various treatments assessed. The scale used for assessment was 0 to 100, 0 denoting no damage or normal emergence, and 100 denoting nonemergence or complete destruction of at least the visible plant parts.

The following plant species were used for the experiments.

  ______________________________________                                    

     Abbreviation                                                              

               Scientific name Common name                                     

     ______________________________________                                    

     ABUTH     Abutilon theophr.                                               

                               velvet leaf                                     

     AMARE     Amaranthus retoflexus                                           

                               redroot pigweed                                 

     CHEAC     Chenopodium album                                               

                               lambsquarters                                   

                               (goosefoot)                                     

     DATST     Datura stramonium                                               

                               Jimsonweed, Florida                             

                               beggarweed                                      

     EPHSS     Euphorbia spp.  member of the                                   

                               spurge family                                   

     GALAP     Galium aparine  catchweed bedstraw                              

     LAMAM     Lamium amplexicaule                                             

                               henbit                                          

     POLPE     Polygonum persicaria                                            

                               ladysthumb                                      

     SEBEX     Sesbania exaltata                                               

                               hemp sesbania                                   

                               (coffeeweed)                                    

     SOLNI     Solanum nigrum  black nightshade                                

     TRZAW     Triticum aestivum                                               

                               wheat                                           

     ______________________________________                                    

The following active ingredients were used for comparison purposes:

  ______________________________________                                    

      YR.sup.3                                                                 

                 ##STR10##                                                     

     ______________________________________                                    

     A    NH(CH.sub.3)                                                         

                    EP 27, 837, Tab. I, comp. 2                                

     B    N(C.sub.2 H.sub.5).sub.2                                             

                    EP 27, 837, Tab. I, comp. 5                                

     C    NH(C.sub.2 H.sub.5)                                                  

                    EP 27, 837, Tab. I, comp. 3                                

     ______________________________________                                    

On postemergence application of small amounts of active ingredients, a broad spectrum of unwanted plants was readily controlled in the greenhouse, for example with compound 35.

For combating unwanted broadleaved vegetation by the postemergence method, active ingredient 6 was far better suited than comparative agent A.

Common weed species were well controlled in the greenhouse by postemergence application of 0.06 kg/ha of active ingredients 7 and 8, without any appreciable damage being caused to wheat as the crop. Comparative agents B and C are far inferior to the novel compounds in their herbicidal action.

Unwanted broadleaved plants were selectively controlled on postemergence application in the greenhouse of 0.015 kg/ha of active ingredients 7 and 9, without any permanent damage being caused to groundnut plants. The herbicidal action of comparative agents B and C was unsatisfactory.

In view of the number of weeds which can be combated, the tolerance of the novel compounds by crop plants or the desired influence on growth, and in view of the numerous application methods possible, the compounds according to the invention may be used in a large number of crops; examples are given below:

  ______________________________________                                    

     Botanical name   Common name                                              

     ______________________________________                                    

     Allium cepa      onions                                                   

     Ananas comosus   pineapples                                               

     Arachis hypogaea peanuts (groundnuts)                                     

     Asparagus officinalis                                                     

                      asparagus                                                

     Avena sativa     oats                                                     

     Beta vulgaris spp.                                                        

                      sugarbeets                                               

     altissima                                                                 

     Beta vulgaris spp. rapa                                                   

                      fodder beets                                             

     Beta vulgaris spp.                                                        

                      table beets, red beets                                   

     esculenta                                                                 

     Brassica napus var. napus                                                 

                      rapeseed                                                 

     Brassica napus var.                                                       

                      swedes                                                   

     napobrassica                                                              

     Brassica napus var. rapa                                                  

                      turnips                                                  

     Brassica rapa var.                                                        

     silvestris                                                                

     Camellia sinensis                                                         

                      tea plants                                               

     Carthamus tinctorius                                                      

                      safflower                                                

     Carya illinoinensis                                                       

                      pecan trees                                              

     Citrus limon     lemons                                                   

     Citrus maxima    grapefruits                                              

     Citrus reticulata                                                         

                      mandarins                                                

     Citrus sinensis  orange trees                                             

     Coffea arabica (Coffea                                                    

                      coffee plants                                            

     canephora, Coffea                                                         

     liberica)                                                                 

     Cucumis melo     melons                                                   

     Cucumis sativus  cucumbers                                                

     Cynodon dactylon Bermudagrass                                             

     Daucus carota    carrots                                                  

     Elaeis guineensis                                                         

                      oil palms                                                

     Fragaria vesca   strawberries                                             

     Glycine max      soybeans                                                 

     Gossypium hirsutum                                                        

                      cotton                                                   

     (Gossypium arboreum                                                       

     Gossypium herbaceum                                                       

     Gossypium vitifolium)                                                     

     Helianthus annuus                                                         

                      sunflowers                                               

     Helianthus tuberosus                                                      

                      Jerusalem artichoke                                      

     Hevea brasiliensis                                                        

                      rubber plants                                            

     Hordeum vulgare  barley                                                   

     Humulus lupulus  hops                                                     

     Ipomoea batatas  sweet potatoes                                           

     Juglans regia    walnut trees                                             

     Lactuca sativa   lettuce                                                  

     Lens culinaris   lentils                                                  

     Linum usitatissimum                                                       

                      flax                                                     

     Lycopersicon lycopersicum                                                 

                      tomatoes                                                 

     Malus spp.       apple trees                                              

     Manihot esculenta                                                         

                      cassava                                                  

     Medicago sativa  alfalfa (lucerne)                                        

     Mentha piperita  peppermint                                               

     Musa spp.        banana plants                                            

     Nicotiana tabacum                                                         

                      tobacco                                                  

     (N. rustica)                                                              

     Olea europaea    olive trees                                              

     Oryza sativa     rice                                                     

     Panicum miliaceum                                                         

                      millet                                                   

     Phaseolus lunatus                                                         

                      limabeans                                                

     Phaseolus mungo  mungbeans                                                

     Phaseolus vulgaris                                                        

                      snapbeans, green beans, dry                              

                      beans                                                    

     Pennisetum glaucum                                                        

                      pearl millet                                             

     Petroselinum crispum spp.                                                 

                      parsley                                                  

     tuberosum                                                                 

     Picea abies      Norway spruce                                            

     Abies alba       fir trees                                                

     Pinus spp.       pine trees                                               

     Pisum sativum    English peas                                             

     Prunus avium     cherry trees                                             

     Prunus domestica plum trees                                               

     Prunus dulcis    almond trees                                             

     Prunus persica   peach trees                                              

     Pyrus communis   pear trees                                               

     Ribes sylvestre  redcurrants                                              

     Ribes uva-crispa gooseberries                                             

     Ricinus communis castor-oil plants                                        

     Saccharum officinarum                                                     

                      sugar cane                                               

     Secale cereale   rye                                                      

     Sesamum indicum  sesame                                                   

     Solanum tuberosum                                                         

                      Irish potatoes                                           

     Sorghum bicolor  sorghum                                                  

     (s. vulgare)                                                              

     Sorghum dochna   corgo                                                    

     Spinacia oleracea                                                         

                      spinach                                                  

     Theobroma cacao  cacao plants                                             

     Trifolium pratense                                                        

                      red clover                                               

     Triticum aestivum                                                         

                      wheat                                                    

     Vaccinium corymbosum                                                      

                      blueberries                                              

     Vaccinium vitis -idaea                                                    

                      cranberries                                              

     Vicia faba       tick beans                                               

     Vigna sinensis (V. ungui-                                                 

                      cow peas                                                 

     culata)                                                                   

     Vitis vinifera   grapes                                                   

     Zea mays         Indian corn, sweet corn, maize                           

     ______________________________________                                    

To increase the spectrum of action and to achieve synergistic effects, the novel diphenyl ether derivatives may be mixed and applied together with numerous representatives of other herbicidal or growth-regulating active ingredient groups. Examples of suitable mixture components are diazines, 4H-3,1-benzoxazine derivatives, benzothiadiazones, thiolcarbamates, halocarboxylic acids, triazines, amides, ureas, other diphenyl ethers, triazinones, uracils, benzofuran derivatives, cyclohexane-1,3-dione derivatives, etc.

It may also be useful to apply the compounds of the formula I, either alone or in combination with other herbicides, in admixture with other crop protection agents, eg. agents for combating pests or phytopathogenic fungi or bacteria. The compounds may also be mixed with solutions of mineral salts used to remedy nutritional or trace element deficiencies. Nonphytotoxic oils and oil concentrates may also be added.

Claims

1. A diphenyl ether of the formula ##STR11## where R is hydroen or an unsubstituted or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkoxy substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 -alkenyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 -alkynyl or C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 -cycloalkyl radical and salts of the diphenyl ether in which R is hydrogen.

2. The diphenyl ether of claim 1 in which R is hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl.

3. The diphenyl ether of claim 1 in which R is methyl.

4. The diphenyl ether of claim 1 in which R is ethyl.

5. The diphenyl ether of claim 1 in which R is n-propyl.

6. The diphenyl ether of claim 1 in which R is n-butyl.

7. A herbicide comprising inert additives and an effective amount of the diphenyl ether of claim 1 or a salt thereof.

8. A method of controlling undesirable plant growth comprising treating undesirable plants and/or areas to be kept free of undesirable plants with a herbicidal amount of the diphenyl ether of claim 1 or a salt thereof.

Referenced Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
3564607 February 1971 Breuer
3928416 December 1975 Bayer et al.
4400530 August 23, 1983 Grove
4640703 February 3, 1987 Bohner et al.
Foreign Patent Documents
00200052 December 1980 EPX
0027837 May 1981 EPX
0019388 March 1983 EPX
48129 August 1975 JPX
Patent History
Patent number: 4889554
Type: Grant
Filed: Oct 28, 1988
Date of Patent: Dec 26, 1989
Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft (Ludwigshafen)
Inventors: Arno Lange (Bad Duerkheim-Hardenburg), Bruno Wuerzer (Otterstadt), Norbert Meyer (Ladenburg)
Primary Examiner: Alan Siegel
Law Firm: Keil & Weinkauf
Application Number: 7/266,239
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: 71/118; Benzene Ring Containing (564/105)
International Classification: A01N 3718; C07C12508;